Insight from the 2019 Annual Meeting of the National Association of Medical Examiners

For over 15 years, the SUDC Foundation hasn’t missed the opportunity to attend the National Association of Medical Examiner’s (NAME) meeting. In order to achieve our mission to support those who have suffered the sudden, unexpected death of a child, we first need to connect with them. Medical examiners play a critical role by referring them to us. While pediatric and other medical professionals may be in contact with these bereaved families after the death of their child, medical examiners and coroners most definitely will be. Equally important, we rely on medical examiners and coroners to complete comprehensive investigations and gather crucial data to identify the most accurate causes of death for these children.

What is Complicated Grief?

Grief is a natural part of life. The often painful and difficult grieving process can be overcome by individuals experiencing it using personalized methods, on their own time, and with minimum complications. There are individuals that can also experience what is referred to as a comorbidity with their grief, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Spotlight on SUDC: Nathan's Story

Nathan's story is lovingly told by his family.

Nathan came into this world of his own choosing. We had set his induction date for February 9, 2013, (so he could share his birthday with a grandfather he would never meet). However, Nathan decided his own birthday and came into the world at 1:03 am, February 10, 2013 (just missing the date we wanted by 1 hour and 3 mins) and weighing 5lb 12oz. After his birth, we were so happy. Our family was complete. My husband and I had our little girl (who was almost 3) and our baby boy--we didn't need anything else.

Posttraumatic stress disorder: Perspectives from an SUDC mama and psychologist

Almost exactly two years ago my life literally changed overnight when I discovered my beautiful, healthy, thriving two-year-old son, Jackson, unresponsive in his crib just days after his second birthday. Although my role in this excruciating loss has been as a mother first and psychologist second, I experienced the déjà vu of learning first-hand how to facilitate my own recovery. As a clinical psychologist specializing in the treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), I learned to apply what I know, in my heart and in my brain, to surviving my own personal tragedy. Most importantly, when I initially found myself experiencing “PTSD-like” symptoms, such as intrusive memories from “that morning” and strong urges to avoid painful reminders of Jackson’s life and death, I reminded myself of a powerful fact: most people who experience trauma do not go on to develop PTSD.

Understanding "Cause" and "Manner" of Death

Among other functions, the medical examiner or coroner is responsible for investigating sudden and unexpected deaths and completing a medicolegal death investigation. Part of that investigation will include completing a death certificate which includes information about the person who died as well as the investigation’s determined “cause” and "manner” of death for that individual. 

Understanding Genetics Part 3: Not All Genetic Testing is the Same – Understanding TSP, WES, and WGS

All "genetic testing" is not created equal. Genetic tests, just like the multitude of medical tests your physician may choose to order when you are sick, have their advantages and disadvantages as well as their indications and contraindications. If someone says. "I did genetic testing and it did not identify the cause of the death", it doesn't really convey valuable information or guidance to the receiver of that information. 

Understanding Genetics Part 2: “I had Genetic Testing”, Understanding the Types of Genetic Testing Available

The field of genetics is growing rapidly and it can be hard for the consumer to keep up with all the changes and discoveries that we are learning and how much we still don’t understand.

Celebrating the Memory of a Child on Special Days

When someone experiences a loss, celebrations and special days take on a different feel. Whether you are supporting someone who has lost a child or experiencing the loss yourself, dealing with events like anniversaries and birthdays can be difficult. These special days mean something different for everyone. Sometimes they are painful, sometimes joyous, or they may be something you want to completely avoid. What we can tell you is that these special dates will always bring reminders of the precious child that was lost. 

Parenting after Loss-Perspective of a Mother and Pediatrician

When my son Conor died suddenly and unexpectedly at the age of 17 months, my world was shattered- both as a mother and as a pediatrician. I was forever changed. My daughter was 2 at the time and I soon realized that parenting was a new journey. There was the added complexity of being a pediatrician and trying to balance what I knew from my training and experience with the gaping unknown. There was nothing in my pediatric training or experience that prepared me to deal with the loss of my son and how to parent my surviving and subsequent children. I realized that just as I could not be the same parent I was, the medical care for my children would not follow the same path. The following is my perspective on this new parenting journey, from the eyes of a mother and physician.

Honoring our Dads: Insight into the Grief of Fathers after SUDC

Grief is a natural process of emotions that occurs when someone dies. Grief integrates into normal routines at variable time frames for each person. It can be an intense, lonely, and personal experience. No two people, regardless of gender, will experience the death of a child the same way. A sudden, unexpected death of a child goes against the natural order of life and the death is incomprehensible.

And while significant research has pursued a better understanding of a Mother’s grief, far less has been achieved to better comprehend the grief of Fathers.  In fact, three times the number of published references in the US National Library of Medicine focus on maternal grief compared to the grief of Fathers. So as Father’s Day approaches, and we pause to celebrate our Dads, let’s shine a light on those that are grieving and how we can best support them.